It's too bad there isn't more sensibility with how the Central Section draws up its playoff brackets, because it robs us of any scenario of having another classic playoff showdown between El Diamante and Tulare Union in the Division II playoffs.

Instead, we're only left grumbling on why there is no chance that the Miners and Redskins could meet again in late November/early December after the two teams put on a thrilling show in Friday's season opener.

In a game defined by a bevy of big plays, it was El Diamante making just a couple of more than Tulare Union in the Miners' 49-40 victory at Visalia Community Stadium.

If you left your seat for any amount of time, you were likely to miss a touchdown or two.

The two teams combined for 900 yards of total offense — Tulare Union with 499 and El Diamante with 401. There were three lead changes and three ties.

There were at least two touchdowns scored in every quarter — five in the first, two in the second, and three each in the third and fourth. Six of of the game's 13 touchdowns went for over 30 yards.

Looking for the next wave of Tulare County's star football players?

This game introduced you to several, including a reminder on the remarkable talents of Tulare Union junior Romello Harris.

Harris put on a dazzling show in the first half.

Harris rushed for 139 yards and three touchdowns over the first two quarters, enabling Tulare Union to build a 28-21 halftime lead.

But the star-of-the-game spotlight shifted to El Diamante junior running back Keylan Liles in the second half, and the Miners' new featured tailback was phenomenal.

Liles racked up 166 of his game-high 219 yards in the second half, and he set the tone for the final two quarters by scoring on a 64-yard jaunt on the first play of the third quarter that immediately wiped out Tulare Union's seven-point lead.

Liles put El Diamante up for good later in the third quarter with a 56-yard touchdown run that made it 35-28.

The Miners finished with 289 yards rushing on 38 carries. El Diamante senior quarterback J.C. Robles had a hand in a pair of touchdowns. He scored on a 1-yard sneak in the first quarter and connected with Kruz Bass on a four-yard scoring toss that enabled the Miners to extend their lead to 42-34 with 10:17 left in the fourth quarter.

Despite Liles taking over the game in the second half, the Redskins kept things interesting.

Tulare Union sophomore quarterback Josh Guerrero scored on a one-yard sneak with 2:22 left in the third quarter to make it 35-34 — the Redskins missed the extra-point attempt.

After Robles' touchdown pass to Bass, Guerrero hooked up with Spencer Montgomery on a 4th-and-6 play for a 59-yard touchdown. The Redskins missed the two-point conversion pass, allowing the Miners to keep a 42-40 lead with 7:56 remaining in the game.

But the Miners secured the game on the ensuing drive. They marched 46 yards on five plays, capped by a three-yard touchdown plunge from Alex Schapansky.

Guerrero finished 21-of-38 passing for 316 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw a beautiful 35-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Daley in the first quarter that tied the game at 14-14.

Montgomery had five catches for 128 yards, and Dailey finished with seven grabs for 104 yards.